Six Sigma, Minor

Program Description

Six Sigma has been increasingly internalized by companies involved in manufacturing, health care, and service industries. The Six Sigma process has also been used to address environmental concerns such as water quality and energy conservation. Thus, this minor is designed for students who are interested in the Six Sigma statistical methodology for increasing productivity and enhancing quality. The minor will provide students with an understanding of how business models are changing in response to globalization and how the Six Sigma process and product improvement methodology is thus a vehicle for industry prosperity in this climate. Students completing the minor will develop their analytical and statistical skills, and gain a competitive advantage in the work place.

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is a highly disciplined process that puts sharp focus on developing and delivering near-perfect products and services. It has been used to shape both the strategy and operation of companies of all sizes and sectors. Six Sigma provides a framework for quality improvement and innovation that builds upon statistical tools to achieve results. Students completing the minor should:

• Be knowledgeable about why organizations use Six Sigma and how they apply it
• Gain experience with using the DMAIC methodology for problem solving
• Gain experience with using the DMADOV methodology for new product innovation
• Understand the links between customer requirements, product specifications, and process capability
• Understand the theory and application of regression analysis, design of experiments, and statistical quality control
• Be familiar with the project selection process including knowing when to use the Six Sigma methodology.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You are interested in problem solving in business operations, lean manufacturing/business practices, and improving industry efficiencies.

The Six Sigma Minor is an 18-credit minor designed for any student who is interested in the Six Sigma statistical methodology. Industries utilizing Six Sigma skills include: manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, health care, defense, financial services, retail, leisure/hospitality, education, construction, consulting, and more.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Giancarlo Labruna
Academic Adviser
113A Leonhard Building
University Park, PA. 16802
814-863-5742
gkl5192@psu.edu

Contact

University Park

HAROLD AND INGE MARCUS DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
310 Leonhard Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7601
psuie@psu.edu

http://www.ime.psu.edu/index.aspx